distance: 30 miles (loop) | elevation: 6,152’ (8,600’ starting) | difficulty: strenuous
You know those holidays that have expectations? Birthdays, New Year’s Eve… That holiday for me last year? Memorial Day weekend. Kinda weird, yeah? Well, with Covid-19, I barely left my house for over two months (tbh, I still barely do). That included hiking, which I normally do at least every other weekend. That means when I decided to finally leave my house I wanted an epic adventure, but also as few people as you possibly could on a holiday weekend.
What fit the bill? A 30-mile backpacking loop through Lost Creek Wilderness.
how to get to lost creek wilderness
Lost Creek Wildnerness is about 12,400 acres with tons of trail options in the Pike National Forest. For this loop, the trailhead is located near Spruce Grove Campsite. This is located southeast of Jefferson off of Highway 77.
From Denver, it is about a 2-hour drive – see location below. Also, I was there early in the season, but the parking lot was not full either when I got there (10am on a Saturday) or when I left (Monday) on a holiday weekend.
As an FYI, this trailhead is accessible by 2WD vehicles.
the lost creek wilderness hike
To start the hike, you’ll need to meander through the Spruce Grove Campgrounds (to the right and past the bathrooms). You’ll come to a footbridge, crossing Terryall Creek, and make an immediate left at a large boulder (the size of a large boulder – please tell me you get this joke?!) onto Lizard Rock Trail #628.
The first part of the hike is pretty easy – a gentle incline (which felt slightly more than gentle due to not hiking for over two months) with aspens (which would be beautiful in the fall) and views of the valley. Around mile 2.5, you’ll come to a large campsite and a trail leading uphill. Don’t take this! This goes to Lizard Rock and the incline is pretty steep! Instead, continue straight and you’ll come to the junction of the loop. As a loop, this hike can be done in either direction obviously, but I recommend clockwise.
Keep left to stay on Brookside McCurdy Trail #628. You’ll head downhill slightly, but don’t let this fool you, you’re coming upon a steeeeeeep incline to reach the highpoint of the hike – almost 11,000’!! For about 4 miles, you’re on a grueling uphill. Not going to lie, I was not a happy camper – it was kicking my lil booty. Soo, manyyyy breaks were taken. Luckily, it is open enough to see the beautiful valley below. And also, good news, once you knock out that section, you’ve completed the hardest part of the hike.
The decline that follows is not quite as steep aka if you know me IRL, I wasn’t taking my steep downhill baby steps (I’m a terrible downhiller!). The views also don’t stop on the decline – more aspens and beautiful, majestic boulder formations all around. You’ll pass a handful of campsites around mile 8, but between mile 10 and mile 15, there are a ton!! Our plan was to try and get in 15 miles on day one so the next two days would be easier, buttttt we were so pooped after that incline that we called it a day around mile 10.5.
We came upon a large campsite where a couple had already set up camp. It was a vast site with room for multiple tents, however, we were looking for something a tad more secluded. Past this site is a small incline and a BEAUTIFUL campsite hidden on the left. The views were unreal – we really lucked out finding it! We quickly set up camp as we were starving and ready to EAT. Also, water is aplenty in this area!
We woke up the next day to v overcast skies and packed up quickly in case it started to rain. While there wasn’t the typical Colorado blue sky, the views were still so pretty. At mile 12, you’ll come to a creek crossing which has a log and ropes (which weren’t much help tbh) to help cross. Find a nearby stick – the water isn’t deep! Slightly past this is the Refridgerator Gulch area – a highlight of the loop! Take some time exploring here. This was the only place that trail finding seemed a tad tricky. Also, there are more camping spots in this area which looked nice!
Day two had a lot of ups and downs, and from about mile 14 to mile 15, there are switchbacks for another steep uphill climb. We decided the top would be a snack spot and I recommend you do the same! Explore a lil and you will find great views!!! At this point, the rain had stopped and the sky turned blue! It was looking like a day where we could log some miles!
The trail turns into Goose Creek Trail #612, but stay straight (or to the right between the two) to continue on the loop. What looked like only gentle ups and downs, turned out to be more than that, especially on our tired legs (remember, we hadn’t hiked in months and decided on a 30-mile hike with weight on our backs). Soon, the rain picked up, but we were still determined to go as far as possible. We came to the Goose Creek Trailhead area wondering if this is where we should hang for the night. The sites in this area seemed to be right next to the trail, so onward we went in the rain.
As we made our way on Hankins Pass Trail #630, through meadows where you’ll see a burn area (from the Hayman Fire in 2002) on the slopes, the weather turned worse. What was just heavy rain, turned into thunder. We picked up our pace and decided that the next campsite we found (around mile 22.5) would be it for the day (even though only 2pm). That decision could not have been better. We raced to put up our tents and as soon as we hopped inside to set up our sleeping bags, it started HAILING. And it hailed HARD for 15 minutes. We ended up hanging out in our tent the rest of the night (that’s what cards and whiskey are for).
The next 3 miles are all uphill along the pass. It was beautiful in the fresh snow from overnight, but at that point, my legs were so tired and I was just over it – so it was head down and trek on. Around mile 25, you’ll come to a trail junction for Lake Park Trail – continue straight to stay on Hankins Pass. Congrats, all ya got is downhill hiking from here! About one mile till Lizard Creek Trail then a short jaunt and you’re back at your car!
Read recent reviews for updates on the water situation! Later in the summer, the creeks can really dwindle down! We did this loop, but this is a similar loop that is a little shorter and starts from Goose Creek Trailhead (as a heads up, this was the busiest area so you may need to get an early start to snag a parking spot).
where to camp on the lost creek wilderness loop
I mentioned options for campsites above. If you go clockwise, spots around: mile 3, mile 5 to mile 7, mile 8, A TON mile 10 to mile 15, mile 17, mile 18, mile 23, mile 25. As you can see not a shortage of sites, besides the beginning part of Hankins Pass Trail.
Look at the map and read recent reviews to get an idea of spots and when you’ll need to fill up on water if you don’t plan to camp near a creek.
when to go
While the hike ranges in elevation from around 8,000’ to 11,000’, it is a relatively low elevation hike for Colorado and the weather is often similar to the Front Range. This is a great shoulder season backpacking pick! As mentioned at the beginning, I hiked this in May, and while it snowed, I also would have been comfortable in shorts (but don’t be a dummy, I really just mean layers). Of course, summer is always prime too!
what to bring
Here is my lil checklist for backpacking! While campfires are technically allowed, Colorado wildfire season is getting longer and more intense, so I’d plan on no campfires (check fire bans). Bear canisters are not required, but recommended since there are bears in the area (they also protect your food from lil sneaky critters). The Forest Service has great info on all the trails in the area.
how to get a backcountry permit?
No permit needed. Well, there is a permit, but it is a self-issue permit at the trailhead. No fee is required.
directions:
Normally I like to include places to stop at after your hike to enjoy some food and beer. But, well, covid. Something I HIGHLY suggest doing is keeping a lil cooler in your car with ice for a post-hike car beer 🙂
Practically in Denver’s backyard, majestic views (unique to other parts I’ve seen in Colorado), endless trail and loop options… the list goes on and on. Head to the Lost Creek Wilderness for your next backpacking adventure! (And do this loop if ya want a booty kicking).
A fun note about this trip. I met my partner IRL only a week and a half before this two-night backpacking trip (we had video chatted for HOURS before we met in person – covid dating). I guess if ya can spend 50+ hours together straight and still like each other it’s a good sign.
